Happy Birthday to writer extraordinaire Joseph Michael Straczynski!  He was born July 17, 1954, in Paterson, New Jersey.  Today he celebrates his 64th birthday.

J. Michael Straczynki turns 64 on July 17, 2018.

J. Michael Straczynki is the creator of “Babylon 5” and “Sense8.”

J. Michael Straczynski (Joe to his friends, JMS to people who are afraid of misspelling his surname) is one of the most versatile writers in SF/F/H in the 21st century.  He is best known as the creator and principal writer of the cult classic TV show Babylon 5 and its sequel, Crusade, as well as Netflix’s Sense8.  He also wrote scripts for mystery and action/adventure shows, children’s programming, SF movies, comic books, novels, and a monthly column in Writer’s Digest.  He has written for TV shows as diverse as She-Ra, Princess of Power, Jayce and the Wheeled Warriors, Jake and the Fatman, Murder, She Wrote, and Jeremiah.  His movies include Thor, Changeling, World War Z, and Godzilla vs. Kong (currently in pre-production).

In addition to his many scripts, ranging from He-Man and the Masters of the Universe to the Twilight Zone reboot to Ninja Assassin, he has written comic books for DC, Marvel, Top Cow/Image, and his own imprint, Joe’s Comics.  He is responsible for one of Captain America’s most iconic speeches on what it means to be an American.

Doesn’t matter what the press says.  Doesn’t what the politicians or the mobs say.  Doesn’t matter if the whole country decides that something wrong is something right.  This nation was founded on one principle above all else: the requirement that we stand up for what we believe, no matter the odds or the consequences.  When the mob and the press and the whole world tell you to move, your job is to plant yourself like a tree beside the River of Truth and tell the whole world … “no, you move.”

J. Michael Straczynski has won two Hugos, both for Babylon 5, and the AARP Movies for Grownups Award for Changeling.  He’s won the Inkpot Award for his comic book career and the Eisner Award for The Amazing Spider-Man, both from San Diego ComicCon, as well as the GLAAD Media Award for Sense8.  He’s been nominated for the BAFTA, Saturn, the Bram Stoker Award, and the Writer’s Guild of America Award.  Most fans consider it only a matter of time before he adds an Emmy to his award collection.

We at SCIFI.radio wish Joe Straczynski a very merry birthday.  The best present he can give to us is to keep writing.

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Susan Macdonald
Susan Macdonald

Susan Macdonald is the author of the children’s book “R is for Renaissance Faire”, as well as 26 short stories, mostly fantasy in “Alternative Truths”, “Swords and Sorceress ”, Swords &Sorceries Vols. 1, 2, & 5, “Cat Tails” “Under Western Stars”, and “Knee-High Drummond and the Durango Kid”. Her articles have appeared on SCIFI.radio’s web site, in The Inquisitr, and in The Millington Star. She enjoys Renaissance Faires (see book above), science fiction conventions,  Highland Games, and Native American pow-wows.